As education-focused parents, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to teach our boys. While games that are entertaining are fine, it’s always nice to add an educational component – even if it’s hidden in fun! While checking out the vast array of Brainy Toys on Mindware.com, we chose to test out four top educational games: Geo Play, Keva Brain Builders, Animal Trivia Challenge, and Leaps and Ledges.
Today’s post is sponsored by Mindware. All opinions are my own.
Educational Games for Kids
We do our best to have one family game night a week. It’s a great way to de-stress and just have fun with the kids. We usually do one game a week, but couldn’t choose between the four game choices, so we had an extended game night over the weekend. We started our fun with Geo Play, a geometric construction game with zero instructions!
Using the notched shapes – children are able to use their imagination to build free-form sculptures. With 200 pieces included, the boys were able to create multiple designs and had lots of fun. Geo Play is available at Mindware for just $24.95, and is appropriate for children ages 3 and up.
Next, we moved on to Animal Trivia Challenge, which allows players ages 7 and up to build animal knowledge through 3 types of challenge cards: Know It, Name It, Rank It. Each card offers a beginner and advanced-level challenge, and with over 200 cards in the game, there are endless amounts of play. Some of the beginner questions are definitely challenging, hence the name of the game. As you go through the game you earn tokens with a number score on them, and whoever has the most points at the end, wins. J was very excited to win!
From reading questions to counting spaces to answering challenging questions, this game has many elements of education built in. It’s really a lot of fun too! Find Animal Trivia Challenge at Mindware for just $24.95.
Leaps and Ledges was a family favorite from the start. Look how awesome these colorful building ledges are! Using math skills and strategy, you must maneuver all four of your pawns to the tower’s crown. Watch out for wild cards that can change the game in a matter of seconds, including knocking your pawn back to the start. This game is fun to build and play and comes highly recommended by us. Find Leaps and Ledges at Mindware for $29.95.
While visiting our local Science Center, we got a taste for Keva Brain Builders. This STEM game teaches young children basic engineering skills along with strategy and fine-motor skills. The travel container includes 20 KEVA planks and 30 cards with beginner through advanced learning levels.
The goal is to turn 2-D patterns into 3-D structures. It takes a bit of skill when starting out, as it’s easy to bump or knock over a plank. You’ll also want to avoid looking at the finished image on the opposite side of the card until you’ve built your structure. This game also allows children to use their own imagination to build.
We take Keva Brain Builders on the go too! With its zippered pouch, it’s great for travel, including keeping kids entertained in restaurants. My little guy built a few structures, including the swan below. It took him a few tries since the swan is an advanced skill card, but he was persistent, and it paid off. Find Keva Brain Builders at Mindware for just $15.95.
Giveaway Time!
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Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
Tumba looks fun to me!
John H. says
Marble Run: 103-Piece Set
Angela Nichols says
I am loving Family Charades.
Danielle Wood says
Pic wits looks like a fun game
Jennifer H. says
I would say The Zoob Challenge
The Zoob Challenge.
laura588 says
My son would enjoy the Mega Marble Run.
Laurie Emerson
Jan Hammersmith says
I think the ,marble run game would be awesome to play
Candie L says
I like the mega marble run. Thank you
Angela P says
See & Spell
Sight Word Puzzle Fun looks like something my kids would love
D. Paul says
I am interested in the My First Brainquest. I didn’t realize they had Brainquest for 2-3 year olds!
Nicole C. says
I like the Mega Marble Run.
tina reynolds says
I think Qwirkle would be a blast
Dawn Reid says
I like Marble Run
Charles Bradshaw says
My grandson would love to have the Mega Marble Run. He would have so much fun with it.
liz (@llew415) says
Marble Run looks cool
Erica B. says
The eagle zipline is neat.
natalia gonzalez says
The pizza mania looks fun
Danielle Magee says
Qwirkle looks like it would be a fun game.
Christina B. says
The 4-player Mancala looks pretty interesting. We like to play the original.
Julie Lundstrom says
I would like Pizza Mania
jennifer peters says
Marble Run would be awesome
Erin B. says
I think my 3 yr, old daughter would love Rainbow Mosaic Pattern Puzzles!
ken ohl says
love Qwirkle looks interesting
Jac says
QWirkle
Jamie Williams says
Forensic Science Detective’s Toolkit seems pretty cool for even adults!
Audra O'Hara says
My daughter would also like their Intelliglobe. She’s always asking where we live and where certain places are; this would really help her get a grasp of geography.
rosannepm says
I’d like the Qwirkle game for my 10 year old granddaughter
Emily Smith says
The Snap Circuits Light set looks awesome and my kids would love it!
Teresa McGinnis says
My son will love this game!
Joan Kubes says
I like the Forensic Science Detective’s Toolkit.
chickie brewer says
I like the Brain builders.. Looks like fun!
terry maigi says
The Get Up and Go Games: Puppy Pursuit looks really fun!
Brittney House says
I like the lazer maze the most.
Wendy Caddy says
The Butterfly Pavilion would be fun.
Austin Baroudi says
I like the eagle foot zipline kit with seat.
shelleyb says
Q-BA-MAZE 2.0: Mega Stunt Set caught my eye. My boys would be entertained for a long time with this one.
julie says
the mega marble run and staxis looks like fun
June S. says
I think that we would enjoy playing that Qwirkle game together, sounds like a lot of fun!
Monique (@mykidsloveme2) says
The Forensic Science Detective kit caught my eye. I love watch thos types of shows so I think it would be fun for me, I meant, the kids to play with.
Nicole Lancaster says
Another Mindware game that caught my eye was the Suspend game.
Jennifer O. says
The Zoob Challenge looks like it would be great for my classroom because it has lots of different options for creating with it.
Sandra Grauschopf says
I think my son would love Marble Run. He loves to see balls roll down things, and to be able to build his own ramps would be awesome.
Keri Justice says
Picwits looks cool!
Donna L says
I like the game Qwirkle.
Bre says
The Spot It! Numbers and Shapes looks like a lot of fun!
Sue King says
Eagle 90-foot Zipline Kit with Seat looks like fun for everybody !!
nickie says
The laser maze looks cool.
Mary Hoffman says
Double Bananagrams looks like tons of fun!
Meghan Berdelle says
Qwirkle looks interesting!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Simon Electronic Memory Game Looks Fun!
dailycynema says
My son would love Laser Maze!
Ashlee says
I think my kids would also like the marble run game
tara darity says
I also like Forensic Science Detective’s Toolkit!
Katherine says
We would lov ethe laser maze
Denise S says
The Forensic Science Detective’s Toolkit looks like fun.
Jessica To says
My son would like Laser Maze.
latanya t says
ReCon Rover with Obstacle Course
Jenn H says
wed love the playful chef cooking kit!
Sheryl (@textiff) says
Qwirkle
Francine Anchondo says
I like the Marble Run: 103-Piece Set
beth says
Qwirkly looks fun
Maria H says
Mighty Monkey Pegboard 🙂 I try and find educational toys that are fun. Thanks for the ideas!